NBA roundup: Hawks erase 18-point deficit to beat Rockets 104-96

Jeff Teague scored 25 points, Al Horford had 18 and the Atlanta Hawks, newly installed as NBA leaders, rallied from 18 points down Tuesday night to beat the Houston Rockets, 104-96, in Atlanta to win their fifth straight.

James Harden, the league’s leading scorer, was serving a one-game suspension and did not play for Houston, but the Rockets led for the most of the game until Teague’s three-pointer with 4:24 remaining put Atlanta up 91-90. The Hawks outscored the Rockets 32-15 in the fourth quarter and 59-37 after halftime.

Jason Terry scored 21 points for Houston, which was attempting to match its season high with a sixth straight victory.

at Cleveland 110, Boston 79: LeBron James scored 27 points to move into 21st place on the NBA’s career list, and the Cavaliers cruised past the Celtics. James, who has 24,508 career points, moved past Ray Allen with a layup in the third quarter. He was pulled with 4:41 remaining in the period and didn’t return, playing 26 minutes. Kyrie Irving scored 18 points in his return after missing two games with a shoulder injury.

Utah 93, at Memphis 82: Gordon Hayward and Derrick Favors scored 21 points each, Rudy Gobert had a career-best 24 rebounds and the Jazz surprised the Southwest Division-leading Grizzlies for its third straight win. Memphis, which has lost three of four, was without starting forward Zach Randolph and reserve guard Beno Udrih because of with illness and defensive stalwart Tony Allen, who was suspended for a violation of team policy.

at Denver 106, Milwaukee 95: Danilo Gallinari scored a season-high 26 points, Kenneth Faried had 14 points and 14 rebounds and the Nuggets ended a six-game losing streak hours after coach Brian Shaw was fired. Assistant Melvin Hunt was named interim coach and directed Denver to its first home win since Jan. 14.

at Chicago 97, Washington 92: Nikola Mirotic scored 23 points and the short-handed Bulls beat the slumping Wizards despite the absences of former MVP Derrick Rose (knee), All-Star Jimmy Butler (elbow) and trusted reserve Taj Gibson (ankle).

Sacramento 124, at New York 86: Rudy Gay scored 25 points, DeMarcus Cousins had 22 and Ben McLemore finished with 20 as the Kings handed the Knicks their worst loss of the season.